The top five fast casual stories for January 2015

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

The top stories in January centered on restaurants poised for breakout years through franchising and growth; the secrets to Starbucks' success and CEOs' takes…

Here's two new mobile POS developments you'll want to keep an eye on

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

In the market for a new mobile POS? Prefer the Windows 8.1 operating system? You've got some new options on the market.

Three takeaways from Starbucks' Q1 2015 report

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Starbucks' consistent success comes down to three things: a strong loyalty program, excellent operational execution and product innovation.

State of the Union puts minimum wage, 30-hour work week, joint employer issues in the spotlight

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

It's been a busy week in Washington. From the State of the Union address to the Supreme Court to more on the minimum wage, here's a round-up of hot public…

Why operators need to know about patent trolls

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Patent trolls could cost restaurants money and slow innovation. Here's what operators need to know about patent trolls.

How restaurants are using gamification to increase engagement in loyalty apps

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Restaurants are discovering the power of leveraging apps, loyalty programs and games to engage customers and drive traffic.

Juice It Up! gears up for aggressive expansion under new VP

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

The California-based juice bar and smoothie concept hired its first-ever VP of Business Development in November, and Laina Sullivan is ready to take it…

Is Zoës Kitchen poised for a breakout year?

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Going public landed $42 million on the Mediterranean-inspired concept's balance sheet, and Zoës Kitchen is ready to put those dollars to work growing its…

Pizza Inn Holdings Inc. hopes investors will RAVE about new name

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Pizza Inn Holdings Inc., the parent company of Pie Five Pizza Co. and Pizza Inn, has announced that it is changing its name to RAVE Restaurant Group Inc.…

Strong growth ahead in 2015, predicts the IFA, but threats are looming

While the economic forecast is strong, headwinds caused by the NRLB's joint employer ruling, minimum wage hikes and ACA implementation could curtail QSR…

Building genuine customer engagement in an Instagram world

Instead of exhausting yourself trying to change customer behavior, take the necessary steps to minimize the distractions cell phones can present.

Tokyo Joe's rolling into New Year with first franchise deal

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

The Denver-based Asian concept is using "spoke and wheel" approach to accelerate its westward expansion.

Pond: Poised to make a splash in 2015

This could be the breakout year for Hunter Pond and his East Hampton Sandwich Co. The young entrepreneur's three-unit chain is set to double its footprint in…

Adding kiosks? Read this first

by Nicole Troxell — Associate Editor, Networld Media Group

POS kiosks can be essential tools in enabling customers to have a more pleasurable dining experience. But are there certain features restaurant owners and…

Executive round table: Fast casual segment leaders make their 2015 predictions

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Local marketing, local sourcing, mobile technologies and customer service initiatives are all expected to move to the front burner in the New Year.

Rearview 2014: Mobile helps brands reduce friction, stay connected

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Mobile technology helped brands reduce friction and connect with customers in 2014.

Rearview 2014: Cause marketing moves from fundraising to partnerships

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Cause marketing went to the next level in 2014, beyond raising awareness and funds for a cause to deep partnerships between restaurants and non-profits.

Rearview 2014: Here's what we were hungry for

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

What did we want to nosh on in 2014? Not gluten. And maybe we're getting sick of pumpkin spice, too.

Rearview 2014: Millennials take the wheel

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

As more and more of their contemporaries move into leadership roles, millennials are moving from the passenger side to the driver's seat.

Competition for talent among hot trends for employers in 2015

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

The upswing in the economy means competition for talent will heat up in 2015. That means employers need to up their game when it comes to attracting and…